Composites of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fibres in a low-density polyethylene matrix -: II.: Fibre matrix adhesion

The difference between the melting points of high-performance polyethylene fibre and low-density polyethylene matrix permits the use of this fibre in a composite application on account of the high chemical compatibility of the two components. In this paper, we have measured the interfacial shear stresses of the composite material by means of a micromechanical test. The results show that the adhesion is markedly increased when polyethylene fibres are substituted for glass fibres in a polyethylene matrix. Moreover, chemical treatment of the polyethylene fibre surface favours adhesion by eliminating the weak boundary layer present on the surface. Nevertheless, the thermal processing conditions of the composite material, and the surface treatment cause a slight reduction in the mechanical behaviour of the reinforcing filler. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.